Fly swatter



Nov. 22, 1927.

F. B. SULLIVAN FLY SWATTER Filed May 21. 1927 INVEN ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 22, i927.

STA

res FATE.

rnnnnnrcx B. SULLIVAN; or OAKLAND, onnrronnm.

FLY swar'rnn.

Application filed May 21,

This invention relates to fly swatters, and

has for an object to provide a device of this character that is flexible and durable, and also more sanitary and less harmful to house furnishings, and one which prevents mashing of the flies, thus decreasing the spreading of germs.

Another object is to provide a fly swatter having a flexible steel wireweb surrounded by a soft rubber binding frame that is molded into the web and to which a handle is secured by molding the covering for the handle into and through the web, and to the binding rubber.

Another object is to offset the main portion of the handle from the swatting frame.

Another object is to provide the striking surface with aseries of soft flexible projecting lugs or teats, said'lug's extending beyond the plane of the binding of the web.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain features of construction and combination of parts whichwill be hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that various changes in the construction and arrangement of parts can be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which show the preferred form of the invention:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken as on line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1,

Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the improved web with rubber lugs when brought in contact with an unyielding surface, and

Figure 5 is a lugs or teats.

Referring more particularly to the drawings 6 is a composition rubber binding vulcanized on a steel wire web 7 so that no part of the wire projects through the rubber, the binding being of such thickness that the wire web sets up and away from any flat surface upon which the device may be placed The purpose binding is to act detail of one of the rubber of the composition rubber as a cushion when Striking 1927. Serial No. 193,182.

the fly, killing it, butnot mashing it, and thus preventing spreading of germs. V i

This rubber binding also furnishes a smooth surface which will not mar furniture, and asthe wire edges are covered by the rubber, there will be no loose ends" to catch in'c'urtains or other fabrics.

Atthe lower. end of the frame a handle 8 is secured, the handle consisting of a loop or eye. portion 9 which is vulcanized to the web 7 and the binding 6 by a rubber yoke 1(lwhich covers the wire and intimately.

connects the handle to the swatter, yet permitting the wire web to vibrate without breaking web or handle, thus ensuring long life to the swatter.

The handle is preferably made of one i piece ofwire, one end being as hereinbefore stated, fashioned into a loop or eye 9, while I the other end is looped, forming HIL'BX- pansion asshown at llwhile the ends are twisted in the main stem of the handle.

This handle at 10is vulcanized to web and binding and projects on the web a sufficient distance to ensure strength and stillnllow any partof the web to vibrate.

12 indicates rubber lugs or teats of which there may be any number, these lugs being vulcanized to the web at various points of its surface the majority of them being grouped at and about the central portion of the web, and on opposite sides of the handle connection. These lugs project beyond the plane of the binding frame 6, that is about one thirty-second of an inch farther, their purpose being to prevent the deflecting of the metallic web when struck against a sur face and act as cushions to prevent the web mashing the fly. It will. thus be seen that these lugs under the device are sanitary as they prevent the spreading of germs by killing the flies without mashing them.

It will be noted by reference to Fig. 2 that the handle is offset as indicated by reference character 13; by this arrangement the swatter can be brought into contact with the long surfaces without the hand of the operator coming in contact therewith, and furthermore the swatter can be struck from various angles without interfering with the flexibility or vibration of the web and its binding.

in ordinary swatters the Wire web pre senting an unbroken surface of metal when Hill the same mashing the flies completely and ver often marring the furniture.

y reference to, F ig.,l it will be seen hovs these disadvantages are obviated and overcome by the rubber lugs or teats which it will be perceived prevent deflecting of the web and still afford a cushion to the web,

thus preventing mashing of the fly. These lugs or teats will not scratch the furniture or catch in fabrics, and being made of rubber permit the metallic wire web and the binding thereof to fluctuate or bend to suit the contour of the surface struck.

' tion, the latter secured to the web member by a covering yoke of vulcanizable material, the said web member being embedded in said yoke.

52. A device of the kind specified, comprising a fiat, flexible, foraminous web member, and soft, flexible teats imbedded' in said web member and projecting from. the surface thereof.

3. A device of the kind specified comprisino a flat, flexible, foraminons web member, a frame therefor consistin of a soft vulcanizable material surrounding the periphery of the web member, and soft flexible teats imbedded in said web member and proiecting from the surface of said web mem- 4. A device of the kind specified, as set forth in claim 3, characterized by the ln s or teats normally extending beyond tie plane of the binding frame.

5. A device of the kind specified, comprising a flat, flexible, foraminous web member, a soft flexible vulcanizable material providing a frame therefor and binding the periphery thereof, and a rigid handle therefor, consisting of a single piece of wire bent and twisted to form a stem portion, and an expanded hand hold at one end and loop portion at the other end said loop. member secured to the web member by the said vulcanizable binding frame member.

(3. A device of the kind specified, as set forth in claim 5, characterized by offsetting the rigid handle.- member adjacent to its point of attachment to the binding frame and the web member, and flexible teats normally extending beyond the plane of the binding frame on the ofl set side thereof.

FREDERICK B. SULLIVAN. 

